The Empire Plan is a unique health insurance plan designed especially for public employees in New York State. Empire Plan benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital coverage, medical/surgical coverage, Centers of Excellence for transplants, infertility and cancer, home care services, equipment and supplies, mental health and substance abuse coverage and prescription drug coverage.
KATHY HOCHUL
Governor
TIMOTHY R. HOGUES
Commissioner
NY24-04
PE24-03
PA24-05
SEHP24-03
PAEX24-05
TO: All Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Dependent Survivor Eligibility for Dependents of Employees who Retire with a Disability Retirement
DATE: June 3, 2024
As per New York State Civil Service Law 165-A, upon the death of an employee of New York State or a political subdivision, such as a Participating Employer or Participating Agency, who had at least ten years of service, the enrolled unremarried spouse and dependent(s) of the employee are eligible to continue their NYSHIP coverage as Dependent Survivor enrollees.
Chapter 675 of the Laws of 2023, signed by Governor Hochul on November 21, 2023, amends Civil Service Law 165-A to extend dependent survivor eligibility to dependents of employees who retired with fewer than ten years of service and who received an accidental disability retirement or performance of duty disability retirement. This amendment allows the unremarried spouse and dependents of an employee who are covered by the enrollee’s NYSHIP plan at the time of their death to be eligible for NYSHIP Dependent Survivor coverage. This amendment takes effect immediately, and future editions of NYSHIP publications will be updated to reflect this change.
If you have questions about this memo, please contact the HBA Helpline at 518-474-2780.